Understanding Taiwan’s Advanced Education in Buddhist Studies, Jet Li Visits Dharma Drum Mountain

In order to understand Taiwan's advanced education in Buddhist studies, and exchange experiences in the learning of Buddhism, internationally renowned performing artist Jet Li, together with friends and family, paid a planned visit to Dharma Drum Mountain World Center for Buddhist Education and the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts (DILA) on March 5. There, he met up with Abbot President Ven. Guo Huei (果暉法師) and DILA Department of Buddhist Studies Director Teng Weijen (鄧偉仁), and held discussions to better comprehend Chan teachings and the application of the Dharma into our daily lives. The Abbot President presented him with a calligraphic scroll of "Blessings and Joy in Abundance (祥樂豐足)" and the book "The Chan Practices of Zhi and Guan: A Key to Opening Up Our Spiritual Mind (止觀禪：打開心門的鑰匙)" as gifts to form a karmic connection.

Jet Li shared that his recent endeavors involved learning the new generation's promotional channels through the use of different media platforms, aspiring to follow in Master Sheng Yen's footsteps in dedicating the majority of his resources to the propagation of applicable Dharma in our daily lives. He reflected that in the past, his main focus was on the promotion of martial arts. However, in recent years his practice has shifted to the cultivation of the mind and reverted back to Chan teachings. In his opinion, the Chan method—specifically protecting the spiritual and the natural environments--- are globally accepted concepts and common languages of common people, easily understood and routinely practiced all over the world.

Accompanying her father on this visit, Jada Li sought clarification from the Abbot President on the Buddhist concept of "emptiness". In addition, she inquired about the similarities and differences of religious principles between the other religions. Using the Dharma's fundamental teachings on "suffering", "emptiness", "impermanence", "Nirvana is perfect peace" etc. as examples, the Abbot President illustrated and explained that all dharmas are created solely by our mind, pain is not equivalent to suffering, and our mind should be our master. To learn Buddhist Dharma, we could start with the fundamental three studies of Discipline, Concentration and Wisdom.

The Abbot President commented that "being in the art world makes it easy to spread the Dharma", praising Jet Li for his efforts in converting his global influence into favorable causes and conditions to the propagation of the Dharma. At the same time, the Abbot President also introduced Master Sheng Yen's advocations in Protecting the Spiritual, Social, Living and Natural Environments, as well as illustrating the practical applications of the Dharma in this contemporary society. When they both recalled Jet Li's endorsement for the "Six Ethics of the Mind" campaign twenty years ago, the Abbot President encouraged him to persevere in its propagation. Jet Li happily responded that making this trip and communicating with Venerable Guo Huei were based on the hope of dedicating more effort and resources into the continued propagation of the Dharma to the world.

Jet Li and his party also took time to pay homage to the Buddha in the Grand Hall and the Wish-fulfilling Guanyin Hall. In addition, they experienced a Chan meditation practice at the Chan Hall and took guided tours of the Founding History Memorial Hall, Lotus Bell Tower, Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts, Great Vow Bridge and other venues. During the visit, Department of Buddhist Studies Director Teng Weijen explained that undertaking research studies on Buddhism in Taiwan has numerous advantages, especially at Dharma Drum Mountain. Not only does DDM possess a wealth of written literature and scriptures as well as a strong faculty, but it also placed a lot of emphasis on international exchanges. This educational philosophy is congruent with the continuation of the Threefold Education propagated by Master Sheng Yen, and shoulders the heavy responsibility of actualizing his concept to "Uplift the character of humanity, and build a pure land on earth".





◎ Original text in Chinese: 張曜鐘、傅莉嫻 
◎ Photos: 李東陽、傅莉嫻 
◎ Translation: Cheng-yu Chang (張振郁)
◎​ Editing: Keith Brown, Patricia Yang